Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

Charles Evans Kilbourne, Jr.

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

Arlington National Cemetery
3-1705

BORN:December 23, 1872 at Fort Myer, VA

Entered Service in the US
Army from Portland, OR

Earned
The Medal of Honor During the Philippine Insurrection For
heroism on February 05, 1899 at Paco Bridge, Philippine
Islands

DIED:November
12, 1963 at the age of 90

First
Lieutenant Charles Kilbourne was a Signal Corps officer,
responsible for maintaining the telegraph lines that provided
necessary communications in the Philippine Islands. Hostilities
in the Philippine Insurrection broke out on February 4, 1899.
The following day communications failed because of a broken
telegraph wire on the east end of the strategic Paco Bridge. In
full view of the enemy, which fired on him from a distance of
only 250 yards, Lieutenant Kilbourne climbed the telegraph pole
to repair the broken wire and reestablish communications,
thereby earning the first Medal of Honor of the Philippine
Insurrection.